The Deepwater Horizon was an offshore drilling rig that operated in the Gulf of Mexico. On the day of the explosion, the rig was engaged in exploratory drilling for BP when a surge of natural gas caused a blowout, igniting a catastrophic explosion. The subsequent fire resulted in the sinking of the rig two days later. Eleven workers lost their lives, and 17 others were injured, marking one of the worst industrial accidents in U.S. history. The incident led to the release of millions of gallons of crude oil into the Gulf, affecting marine and coastal ecosystems and prompting an extensive cleanup operation.

The explosion was attributed to several factors, including faulty equipment and inadequate safety protocols. Investigations revealed that BP, Transocean, and Halliburton, which was responsible for the cementing process, had made crucial errors that contributed to the disaster. The ensuing oil spill became one of the worst environmental disasters, as oil coated beaches, harmed marine life, and disrupted the fishing and tourism industries across four states. The event sparked widespread media coverage, and public outcry led to significant changes in regulations governing offshore drilling.

In the aftermath, a series of lawsuits and settlements followed, with BP ultimately agreeing to pay tens of billions of dollars in fines and restitution. The spill also sparked debates over energy policies and safety regulations, as well as the environmental impact of deepwater oil drilling and fossil fuel dependency. The Deepwater Horizon disaster fundamentally changed the landscape of offshore drilling and environmental policy in the United States.